On this day. . .113 years ago. . .in Harrisburg Fire Dept. history

January 1, 1912-A little after 8:30 in the morning smoke was discovered issuing from the row of three story frame houses at N. 18th and Elm Streets. Whatever person discovered the fire high- tailed several blocks to the newly installed fire alarm box at North Street and pulled the hook.
Box 18 began registering on the firehouse gongs at 8:45 a.m. First arriving was the Mt. Pleasant’s horse drawn combination wagon followed by the Silsby steamer. Firemen entered and found a heavy smoke condition inside. A fire was caused by a defective flue at 112 N. 18th igniting the interior walls then traveling upward and into the loft. The three story frame houses at 110-112 had the most damage with fire extending across a narrow foot alley to No. 114 that also had damage. Total loss was reported to be about $1,800.
At the sound of the gongs, the city’s 45 fire horses exited their stalls in all 14 firehouses and trotted to their assigned positions in front of the apparatus. By departmental order, this procedure was done in all firehouses regardless of what alarm assignment the company was on.
At the three year old Allison Hook & Ladder No. 2 house on S. 14th street this procedure was done with their usual speed and efficiency. The combination hose and chemical wagon was positioned in front of the 65’ Hayes aerial ladder with the four horse stalls along the walls flanking each rig. The harness was suspended from the ceiling on quick release hangers. The bay doors on firehouses in those days were generally spring loaded to help swing open the huge heavy wooden doors. Some in the city were equipped with electric release mechanisms, but I’m not exactly sure as to how many. Whether the Allison’s door was so equipped is unknown. Some companies took great pride on hitching their horses and getting out the door in fifteen seconds or less. The Telegraph account of the fire reported that the bay doors at the Allison failed to open and that wagon horses Frank and Alfred, “crashed through the doors.” Old photos of the firehouse at that time reveal that the doors were solid wood panel doors on the bottom and large glass panels on top. It is assumed the horses went through the glass and not the wood. Both horses were cut and badly frightened.
From the newspaper photo of the fire taken from the Harrisburg Telegraph[Jan 1, 1912] it appears at least the ladder truck made it to the fire. It’s unknown if the wagon made it or not. The weather was bitter cold and the streets were icy and quite possibly the doors might have been frozen shut as they were outward swinging. The department was in service at the fire over an hour and a half

PA Pump Primers generated a huge turnout of antique rigs, so many that some were turned away due to parking space limitations at the riverfront. The Allison was open for visitors both on Friday and Saturday. A steady stream of guests supported the Allison’s fund raising efforts by purchasing fire toys and donating to the company.

The Allison is limited in the amount and types of fund raising we can do to support our volunteer firefighters and our community risk reduction efforts. Without your help our job would be impossible. Thank you for your continued support.

Roberta “Bert” Buskey, the widow of our late President Barry Buskey has passed away. Mrs. Buskey was inducted into the Company as an Honorary Life Member following the death of her husband. “She was truly a “fireman’s wife” said current Allison President T. Cosgrove Jones.”Bert stood with her husband through his entire fire service career including the last years of his life as he fought against all odds to re-establish the Allison as an active fire company” he added. Bert last visited the Allison when she unveiled Barry’s portrait with her family at her side. The members of the Allison have a special place in their heart for the Buskey family who contributed so much to the company.

Mrs. Roberta “Bert” Buskey Honorary Life Member beside her late husband’s portrait

You Asked For It and You Got It!

The Allison Hill Academy

In cooperation with the

Shumaker Public Safety Center at HACC,

 Central Pennsylvania’s Community College

Presents

Hot and Hands on Training

Friday and Saturday September 22-23, 2023

Friday night networking social 6pm-11pm – Allison Hook & Ladder Co. No. 2

Saturday HOT Classes: 8am-6pm HACC’s Public Safety Center

Instructors

Jeff “Skull” Miller & John Peskie Harrisburg Bureau of Fire

Chris Essyer & Will Hickey FDNY

Bobby Eckert Camden FD

Limited Spots Available-$350 all Inclusive

Registration Information at https://www.allisonhookandladder2.org/ or

 Facebook Allison H & L No. 2

The Officers and Members of the Allison Hook & Ladder Company wish you our friends and loyal supporters a happy and safe Holiday Season. We look forward to seeing you at at the fire house in 2023.